Cooee! April 2009
MIRAGE: University of Sydney, NSW
NERCHA: University of New England, NSW
NOMAD: Deakin University, VIC
Alex Rack
Robyn Billing
Cam Hart
Alex Rack
2009 is set to be another exciting year for
The good people of NERCHA love being in bed
I would like to start by thanking all that have
MIRAGE with a number of events already
with all health disciplines and have welcomed
been involved in getting NOMAD over the
planned, an unprecedented number of new
another degree under the blankets- Social
massive hurdle of the year that has passed.
members signing up and most encouragingly
Work. With the start of the new social work
Since the initial steering committee meeting,
an great proportion of those new members
degree, NERCHA now has four health disciplines
now NOMAD has evolved from an idea to a
were from the allied health disciplines. Sign up
in its ranks including Nursing, Medicine and
functioning club. The second year NOMAD
during the initial weeks back at campus were
Psychology.
brings a new logo. The new logo represents
great but the annual Welcome drinks proved
NERCHA kicked off the semester by holding
the youth and enthusiasm of NOMAD, travel
again to be a fantastic forum for acquiring
a barbecue for Nursing and medical students
in rural health and colours of the country. A
new members and generating interest in
in hope of increasing membership numbers
logo competition was run to gain designs that
participating in the club. The Welcome Drinks
post Orientation. The barbecue was a great
reflect the ideas of what NOMAD means to
were as per last year held at the Marly in
success which saw Armidale serve up heavy
students.
Newton, and for $5 (or $10 if you were joining
rain showers and 19 degrees. In spite of
With a new logo comes lots of exciting projects
the club) saw students getting two drinks
optimal New England weather, the event
NOMAD are looking to undertake in 2009. Our
and nibbles and an awesome party! We also
moved indoors where many people signed up,
inaugural AGM is fast approaching and calls
had door prizes and a short presentation
especially Nursing students. A big thankyou
are being put out for nominations. The current
about what MIRAGE stands for, does and what
must be awarded to all those who helped
committee are looking forward to a breath of
opportunities it offers members.
under adverse conditions, especially Yoni
fresh air in new committee members. Our RHSV
Looking forward for the year, in May we are
Luxford, our club administrator and Shannon
calendar is underway with the idea of running
again in conjunction with MedSoc organising
Townsend, NERCHA president.
a RHSV within the month. In collaboration
the Annual Indigenous Health Forum. An
NERCHA had its first official meeting of the
MedSoc’s Global Health Team we are currently
excellent selection of speakers has been
year recently and has a number of plans for
planning Deakin’s first Teddy Bear Hospital.
sought and the night looks like it’s destined to
the coming year. These great events include
As a club we are excited to get this up and
be a highlight in the MIRAGE calendar year yet
establishing a relationship/mentor program
running as it adds another aspect of what
again. RHSV’s are still in the planning stages
with the local Aboriginal primary school,
NOMAD is trying to achieve through educating
but already there are an encouraging amount
holding a combined ball with the UNE Medical
the younger folk on health and the nuts and
of students interested in going to represent
Students Association, two Rural High School
bolts of careers, hospital and healthcare
MIRAGE, with the most likely destination to be
Visits and a whole heap of other minor social
professionals.
up in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, no
events.
Our recruitment drive has proved fruitful during
doubt a great 3-4 day trip will be organised
Also in the near future, a general meeting
‘O’week, having recruited new members and
with school visits and of course some time
will be called to elect a junior executive
renewing old memberships we are looking
allocated to local sight seeing. Indigenous
to fill places in the NERCHA council. The
forward to getting the new faces of the club
Festivals are also coming up and with the
Newly appointed junior executive will hold
involved in all that is NOMAD.
students out at Dubbo Rural Clinical School on
these positions until later in the year when
board for the Coonanmble Vibe Alive Festival
all executive positions will come up for
we are off to good start. Also with lots of
nomination and election.
interest already in the Deadly Days Festivals to be held later on this year, Indigenous Festivals look to be a great opportunity for MIRAGE members to become involved in the club and in the rural and indigenous communities.
photo: RAHMS